Paddington Nursery School internal refurbishments and external play area and canopy.
The importance of good education architect designs in primary schools can’t be understated. Not only from an educational perspective, but from a social one too. These are places where children can learn how to treat one another and let friendships blossom. Both academically and socially, it’s crucial that a primary school can provide young children with the appropriate care and support they need.
Alongside their educational needs, it’s important to address their social needs. This is what we call architecture for community, something that architect firms such as Johnson Design Partnership recognise. Education architects, undergoing a project for schools, trying to cater to each individual, is certainly a challenge, but not one outside the realms of possibility.
There’s not a set-in-stone guideline for the final designs, but there’s plenty of official rigmarole concerning safety, planning, etc. However, whilst the official stuff is best left to the professionals, lest you bore the poor children to death, there is still plenty of wiggle room for JDP to showcase their talent.
They already have numerous educational projects completed, including design for a new school garden for St. John’s (RC) Primary School in Shropshire, the design of Upton Meadows Primary School, just outside Northampton, and the conduct of a comprehensive feasibility study for the expansion of St. Mary’s Primary School in Paddington Green, London. These three school design projects, alongside many other completed ones, show that JDP’s education architects are certainly skilled and talented enough to undertake such work.
Milfield Primary School. New School by Johnson Design Partnership Ltd.
Education Architecture For Community
JDP are firm believers that the outdoors can benefit a child’s learning, hence why the garden project at St. John’s (RC) Primary School was quite personal for them, being a Shropshire-based architect firm. They ensured the final design provided a space that was not only engaging and natural, but served educational purposes too.
Key to the wayfinding design was having a clearly harmonious flow around the garden, allowing for a conventional route to follow that seamlessly connects protected spaces and offers both shade and shelter, allowing the children to connect with nature, whatever the weather.
The use of colour played an important role in designing the garden. The inclusion of green pergolas and green roofs allowed for a sense that the garden was a living extension of the school. Students could have a hands-on opportunity in maintaining an area personal to them, whilst learning about enhancing sustainability and ecology.
JDP’s goal for the school design was to transform the outdoor area into a vibrant, interactive space where children could explore, learn, and connect with nature. Simply being outdoors for lessons (weather-permitting) allows for the children to learn, but also be reminded of the wonders of nature fitting with their creative and curious minds. This garden design exemplifies JDP’s commitment to creating innovative, sustainable school environments that support both education and community engagement.
St John’s school, Bridgnorth playground by JDP
JDP’s Education Architect Projects
Another successful educational project that factored in architecture for community needs, came from JDP’s task of being commissioned by the Diocese of Westminster to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the expansion of St. Mary’s Primary School in Paddington Green, London. It was an evaluation of how it could be best tailored and revamped for modern use and for generations to come.
What transpired was a successful in-depth architectural assessment, facilitating a new nursery, even on a constrained, urban site. Not only was it important to ensure that the latest equipment could be implemented, it was important to add a new nursery facility because JDP recognise that education often starts at a younger age nowadays. JDP want to ensure modernity and longevity in their educational projects, and a sense of fostering community, which a new nursery can do.
This education architect project was an opportunity for JDP to show that, as architectural designers, they aren’t always focused on large-scale designs. Instead, the key was to make the best use of the available space and budget. Similar to how you don’t necessarily need a big box of LEGO to make something awesome, you just need some creative talent and a little patience. JDP were able to work with the school’s £400,000 budget on an extension project typically associated with much larger developments.
The development of Upton Meadows Primary School was a complete design and construction project, with the school being a key element of a larger urban development at Upton, just outside Northampton. The education architect brief was uniquely challenging; JDP had to adhere to a design code set forth by the Prince’s Foundation, alongside the educational and architecture for community needs too. Not ones to shy away, this is exactly what the architect firm set about doing.
Whilst collaborating with over 30 stakeholders (yikes!); including Northamptonshire County Council, landholders, and the Prince’s Foundation, the main aim was to create a forward-thinking, all-inclusive learning community that embraced creativity, sustainability, and accessibility. The design of the school had to reflect the local communities’ aspirations and adhere to environmental standards laid out by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM).
Upton Meadows Primary School was the first in the UK to achieve a Provisional Assessment BREEAM rating of ‘excellent.’ This groundbreaking accomplishment reflects the school’s commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking design. JDP’s hand in facilitating community engagement and outdoor learning paid off.
When designing the school, JDP were always considering integration into the wider area and community, alongside disability architecture principles. This ensured the development was inclusive and accessible. Thanks to JDP’s extensive knowledge, the school found itself at the heart of this new urban village. Surrounding buildings, apartments, terraced homes, the village green, and leisure spaces were all planned to ensure that residents had equal access to shared spaces.
Upton Meadow Primary School. New School by Johnson Design Partnership Ltd. Partly funded by Princess Foundation and opened by King Charles. In collaboration with English Partnerships and Northampton County Council.
Bespoke Education Architecture Solutions
The three projects mentioned above highlight the strong portfolio that JDP continues to build upon. Their ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects whilst delivering innovative, sustainable, and community-focused architectural solutions, and those of a lesser complexity (though still not easy), is evident. JDP are keen to continue proving that school architecture can be environmentally responsible and provide an inspiring place for children to learn.
Every project is different. However, JDP are more than up to the challenge of helping design innovative learning environments, providing feasibility studies for school construction, and even renovations to existing buildings. Not only this, but JDP architect firm recognises that people and communities are unique. This ethos helps them build relationships, as well as buildings.
Shooters Hill concept design for link building by Johnson Design Partnership Ltd.
